A Toast to Melba

A Toast to Melba
Written by Jack Hibberd
Characters
Date premiered 1976
Place premiered Adelaide Festival
Original language English
Genre Drama

A Toast to Melba is a 1976 Australian play by Jack Hibberd which was written in 1975. Hibberd described it as:

Another 'Popular Play' like The Les Darcy Show. Using the Epic Theatre techniques of Bertolt Brecht (without politics), the play encompasses the life of diva Nellie Melba from childhood in Melbourne to her death in Egypt (alleged dying words: "I never did like Aida.")... The actress who plays Melba must be able to sing a few arias and parlour songs. There is a selection of recorded music that is essential to the work.[1]

The play is one of Hibberd's personal favourites.[2]

Adaptation

A Toast to Melba
Directed by Alan Burke
Written by Jack Hibberd
Based on play by Jack Hibberd
Starring Robyn Nevin
Michael Aitkiens
Release dates
1980
Running time
85 mins
Country Australia
Language English
Budget around $5,000[3]

The play was adapted by the ABC in 1980 as part of the Australian Theatre Festival.[4][5]

References

  1. "A Toast to Melba" at Jack Hibberd site accessed 30 July 2013
  2. Interview with Jack Hibberd, Stage Whispers accessed 30 July 2013
  3. A Toast to Melba at AustLit
  4. Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996, p. 154
  5. Contemporary review in The Age, accessed 30 July 2013

External links

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